The Lady and the Pirate (Closed)

[Asa]

This pampered life grew boring quickly for her. Arabella Llewellyn wanted adventure danger and excitement. She wanted to live... really live like the women she saw at the taverns near the docks submitting to no man commanding all they saw answering to no one... that is what she wanted and she would have that life... but how?

She found ways to sneak down to those darker areas and befriended one of the tavern owners a grizzled older woman named Agnes who kept her safe and let her see how the rest of the island lived and who they really relied on and even put her in contact with someone who could help her and who Agnes knew after the young lady's first night in her tavern

Enter Dominic Franz a sailor second in command of a pirate crew who has recently lost its captain to the Kings guards. Dominic and the crew are for the most part in hiding lacking for the moment the funds to pay a few debts their captain acquired here Dominic has to sate his young heart and rebuild the crew and the only life he knows. The only sure thing is that he would follow the beautiful raven angel into hell itself...

~~~~~~~~~~~

Agnes sat at a table her pistol resting on the table in clear view and the standing word around the bar was if anyone got near her young friend the old woman would send them to the Locker personally. Few dared cross old Agnes as some thought she was a witch but most knew that she was simply cold enough to kill anyone who did not follow her rules even if they were a friend.

I am still trying to find a way to help ya have a real and decent reason to travel down here so that Da of yours won't send the crown guards here my dear and I have a few ideas just gotta make sure they are noble enough for my young friend... We will find you an escape before ya Da goes and does something stupid against your heart. Folks in his world don't understand love like you do... maybe when they were young like you but when they get in royal business thats all they know any more... it will be alright but you best be getting on home... now... I will see you in a couple of days.

With that Arabella nodded offered a hug to the kind old woman and slipped from the tavern and quickly made her way home keeping hidden along the path she had found that seemed to shield her from both the wealthy and the docks folk.

Agnes turned around looking back over the bar and smirked.

Alright Dominic Franz you can stop hiding and droolin in ya ale boy... come talk with me boy... you are about the only one that tries to hide your watching her from me too... don't worry I ain' gonna kill ya for watching her as long as ya more honorable as ya old captain.

She chuckled and called for a couple of ales be brought to the table as she bellowed for him again

Dominic ya don't keep a lady or drink waiting...

 

[bjhass]

"Do you really think she can help us with our problems Madam Agnes?" He asked, emerging from the corner he had secluded himself in. Dominic would have a hard time trusting anyone after the recent betrayal that had landed his captain behind bars and a date with the gallows. Having grown up on the ship, the captain may as well have been his father.

As if the guards looking for him and his crew wasn't bad enough, the merchants who's goods had been plundered by the infamous Duchess of Hazard and her crew had ears everywhere and would pay a pretty penny to be able to carry out their own form of justice on anyone who has anything to do with that ship, particularly its first mate.

Sitting across the bar from Old Agnes, as most called her behind her back, he glanced suspiciously around the room. To remain inconspicuous he had left his sword in his room, but his pistol remained under his jacket, where he could reach it at a moments notice.

"We can slip past the guards and reboard the Duchess easily enough, but without supplies we won't get far. What we need is not just a leader but someone willing to invest in our next little adventure." He finished dubiously before starting into another drink. "I'm sure her looks will make her father a fortune when that time comes, but we are sailors, men of action. What makes you think that city girl has what it takes to get us out of this scrape?"

 

[Asa]

Aye lad... her da is one of the richest men around here but he wants her to marry someone near twice her age from the Crown's own wealthy lot. Slime of an old man he sounds to be too. Now you wouldn't want to see her in that sort of fate now would ya... There is no saving Swan from the hangman's rope... he got sloppy a mistake I do nae see you making any time soon.

She took a long drink from her ale.

I also know ya been watching her every time she comes in here. She wants an escape from what her da thinks should happen and I agree. I think you and her could come up with a fairly decent plan together. Plus boy if Euginie has to mop any more drool from that little hiding place of yours at the little table over there we will be able to float ya ship right up to the front door.

She smiled laughing and pat him on the back. She trusted this kid and was even the one to convince Captain Valen Swan to take him on as a part of his crew. She had known Swan since he was second in command and knew what a hot head he was and with the crew he had and the dealing and conning he had going with the wrong people she knew it was a matter of time and she was right. Now that drunken fool was headed for the hangman's rope leaving the ship and crew to someone who needed something to sail for... Lucky for Dominic Agnes knew just what could be that something to sail for. Arabella... and if the boy could ever find the sand to tell her what Agnes saw all over his face... love.

 

[bjhass]

"Well, its settled then." He said, but it was obvious he still had his doubts. "I'll make the rounds to gather the crew. Or what's left o them anyway. But I don't know how some o the crew will take to having a woman as a captain. I'm not a superstitious one myself, but I can't say the same about all the men."

Leaning back in his chair he drained his mug, then looked at Agnes.

"You approvin her is good enough for me." He said, then added under his breath, "as if her looks weren't convincing enough."

He seemed thoughtful for a moment, then stated definitively "For now it should be enough that the men will follow me, and I'll follow her. But at some point she is going to have to prove herself as more than a pretty face and a deep wallet. She'll have to show some of her natural talents." He added the last part with just a little too much longing.

After downing another drink in silence he headed out into the night, promising to have the crew ready to sail by morning.

 

[Asa]

I did nay say make her captain nor did I say this could be done in a day boy. The crew will need to help ye and you will need to convince her and come up with a plan to get her free of this life her Da dooms her to.

Agnes chuckled a little hearing the real desire in the young mans voice. He wanted her free and there by him so bad he was not thinking clearly. Young Arabella would fix that Agnes felt sure.

 

[bjhass]

The next morning there was a larger assortment than normal of motly men in the tavern. Dominic was there too, and he seemed fresher than one would expect for having been up all night, perhaps he had found a new motivation in life. He had definitely found a new set if clothes. They hung loosely from his body but still were far more fashionable than anything he had ever worn before. Which may have been why he appeared so uncomfortable in them, constantly itching and scratching. But the biggest contrast of all was how his stormy eyes seemed to be extra turbulent beneath their new disguise. He made sure that everyone ordered a breakfast and doubly sure they payed for it, then approached Agnes.

"Madam," he began, "here is the plan I have been thinking up. Last night I managed to rescue some respectable clothes from their respectable owner. So I should be able to approach the Llewellyn house under the guise of a potential business partner. Now the ship is going to need some repairs before she can sail, which won't be easy under the watch of the guard. So I'd guess we have a good week to prepare."

He paused sheepishly, and it was obvious he would be much more comfortable planning to board a man-o-war by himself, then continued "Well Madam, from there I'll need your advice."

 

[Asa]

I have been thinkin on this and perhaps Arabella could "Buy" the ship and have it fixed to perfection for that swine her da wants her to marry only to have surprise surprise the one she bought it from appear to double cross and possibly kidnap her or something like that...

Agnes was a devious and ruthless woman when she wanted to be and completely heartless when she had to be.

Lets see what young Arabella says when she returns here in a night or two... unless you stilll have nay the sand to talk to her face to face lad... I can talk with her iffin you need more time to drool into your ale before finding the courage to face her.

 

[bjhass]

Geoffrey was clearly riled by his courage being brought into question. Puffing his chest up he said "I'll speak to her first chance I get. I thank you Madam for your assistance. But unfortunately I don't have the time to wait around for her to come to me. I have too many enemies on land. I'll go speak to her this afternoon at the manor."

He paused for a moment and seemed to consider what he had just said. "I'm going to need some ale first." He murmured as he moved toward his traditional booth in the corner.

But he was a man of his word. At 2:15 that afternoon there was a knock on the front door of the Llewellyn mansion. He had freshened up and held authentic looking sales papers for the newly impounded ship. He was clearly nervous, as he shifted his weight from one foot to the other. But there was a look of determination on his face that resembled a man about to charge head long into a firing squad.

 

[Asa]

Her fathers aid answered the door as if expecting someone and seemed most irate when they were not there. Luckily Agnes had gotten word to her that someone would be coming to her house with paperwork for her about a ship she needed to say she was buying to fix up for her fiancee as a gift. Arabella heard her fathers aid and made her way to the door pushing him out of the way.

This young man is here for me with sales paper work for my for a ship I have chosen to buy and have prepared for my fiancee. We will be in the library to tend to this paper work Please send word to father that I am not to be disturbed. Big Jim will stand guard within the room and his brother will keep anyone else out. IS that clear Mr Franz?

The arrogant man simply nodded and motioning for the them to make their way to the Library as Big Jim raised a brow but followed knowing all too well Miss Arabella had something up her sleeve.